Vacuum cleaner



March 1, 1932.

T. E. D. 5mm:v 1,847,233.

VACUUM CLEANER Filed Feb. 21, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JEJ.

INVENTOR March 1, 1932. T.-E. D. BILDE 1,847,233-

. VACUUM CLEANER Filed Feb. 21, 1930. 2 SheetsL-Shaet 2 TTORNEY v Patented Mar. 1, 1932 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TORD ERIK DANIEL BILDE, OI STOGKHOLM, SWEDEN, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO ELECTROLUX CORPORATION A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE VACUUM CLEANER Application filed February 21, 1980, Serial No. 430,415, and in Germany larch 2, 1929.

- This invention relates to vacuum cleaners of the type wherein air passing through the same is treated or conditioned. In one phase of the invention, it provides a new combina- & tion of parts or cooperation of parts whereby the air passing through a vacuum cleaner unit is efficiently treated and yet an efficient cleaner unit is provided wherein the air conditioning means is advantageously disposed l and yet readily removed and replaced.

An object of the present invention is to provide asimple and efficient combination of air conditioning device and vacuum cleaner. Other objects of the invention are: to pro- 15 vide a filter which may be advantageously located between the fan and air discharge port of the cleaner to disinfect, deodorize or otherwise treat the air before it is discharged into the room; to provide a support for filtering or air conditioning material which may be readily applied to the vacuum cleaner casing and removed therefrom; to provide a convenient and simple means for applying, securing the filter medium to, and removing the same from the support; to provide means for associating an air treating material with the filter; to provide a filter which is capable of removing bacteria from the air which is passed therethrough; and to provide a cheap, 0 simple, convenient and eflicient device of the type above indicated.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combinationsof parts. hereinafter set forth and claimed. 1

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and the manner of its organization I may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with-the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which h A Fig.- 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vacuum cleaner unit constructed in accordance-with the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a broken sectional view showing a modified form of filter;

Fig. 3 is a broken sectional view showing a further modified form of filter;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4--4 of- Fig. 3 showing the internal construction of the filter Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are broken sectional views showing further modified forms of filters;

Fig. 8 is .a section taken onthe line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

I Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the filter of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a broken sectional view showmg another modified form of filter;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line 1111. of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the cleaner unit constructed in accordance with Figs. 10 and 11.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the following description and in the claims parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the drawings more in detail the invention is shown as appliedto avacuum cleaner unit having a casmg comprising a barrel 15 to one end of which ring 16 is secured in any convenient manner.. A ring 17 is mounted on said barrel near the other end thereof in the plane of themotor unit as will be described. A bell 18 having a central aperture 19, which is adapted to receive hose coupling member 20, is seated on ring 16 and secured thereto by any convenient means such as spring clips.

A cap 21 having a central aperture 22, Y

.which is also adaptcd to receive coupling member 20, is telescoped over the end of barrel 15 and seated against ring 17 in a groove formed between the ring and the mounted within barrel 15 and is secured to held between bell 18 and flange 27 and ring 16.

Motor 28 is mounted axially of barrel 15 and is supported by suitable supporting members 29. A fan 30 is mounted on'the shaft of motor28 and, in connection with the motor, forms the motor unit, which produces flow of air through the casing of the cleaner unit. A'shield 31 is mounted in barrel 15 and separates the chamber containing the dust bag from the motor chamber. Said shield has a central aperture 32 through which the air is passed, said aperture being covered by a screen 33.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 a metal screen or packing member 40 is shown as secured within cap 21 adjacent aperture 22. Said screen may be formed of wire gauze or other similar material and is sufficiently stiff to provide a supporting means for the filter to be described. Adjacent screen 40 is a filter comprising layers 41 offlannel orthe like which are mounted on a ring or hoop 42. Ring 42' is provided with a circumferential groove 43 in which layers are held by ring 44 which may consist of wire, string or similar material. Layers 41 may be formed of flannel or other material which is capable of catching bacteria. The layers are tightly stretched over ring 42 and overlap in the groove and are held in such position by, for example, running several turns of string over the layers in the groove and tying the string taut. This provides a ready, replacement means since the string can readily be untied to remove the layers from the frame 42. Thus the string releasably holds the layers stretched over the frame.

Between layers 41 there may be and preferably is positioned a. porous receptacle, such as bag 52 of porous or unglued paper contain- 7 ing an air conditioning substance 53 which may be in the form of solid particles or may comprise an absorbent material such as infusorial earth in which a disinfectant, deodorant, insecticide, perfume or other substance in a gaseous or liquid form is adsorbed.

In a preferred form, a bag of unglued paper containing a deodorizing or disinfecting liquid adsorbed in kieselguhr or infusorial earth is employed. It is obvious, however, that other fillers and other types of air conditioning material may be used and that layers 41 may be treated with an air conditioning material if desired.

The filter is positioned against screen 40 v between the outlet port 22 and motor 28 and is of such size that it may be frictionally secured within cap 21. Layers 41 are preferably stretched sufliciently tight to prevent possibility of contact therebetween during the operation of the machine, whereby the I layers, or the layers together with the filler,

serve to effectivelymrevent passage of bacteria and other undesired substances. air is accordingly discharged'in a particularly pure condition.

The I Referring to the construction shown in Fig. 2, a filter is shown which comprises two layers 45 of filtering medium such as flannel stretched over acircular frame 46, having a circular flange 47 provided with a peripheral groove 48 in which the layers are secured as by ring'49, of wire, string or similar material. Member 46 serves as a backing member for one of the layers of cloth.

The space between layers 45 may be filled with porous loose material 51 which also 45 are each supported by a metallic member,

one layer being supported by screen 40 and the other by frame 46. Mechanical distortion of the filter is accordingly prevented and a particularly rugged construction is obtained.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the filter comprises layers 55 which are stretched over a spiral spring steel band 56 and secured by stitching or other convenient means. Filler 57, similaf to filler 51 of Fig. 2 is positioned between layers 55. Band-56,=in

addition to supporting layers .55, preventsfiller 57 from becoming displaced as described above in connection with tongues 50. In this construction the filter cloths are pressed by spring 56 against the inner wall of cap 21, so that a tight joint is effected and passage of air about the edges of the filter is positively prevented.- The air seal is assisted by the air currents which force the filter against the cone-shaped end of cap 21.- It

will be observed that in each of the modifications, all the air is forced to pass through the filter. I

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the end cap is divided into a plurality of parts 60, 61 and 62. Parts 60 and 61 are provided with flanges having shoulders 63 and Y64 against which wire screens 65 and 66 are seated. Layers 67 and 68 of filtering material are placed against screens 65 and 66 and the device assembled by telescoping parts 61.and 62 within the flanges of parts 60 and 61 respectively. Strengthening rings 69 and 70 are frictionally held within parts 61 and 62 and assist iii securing layers 67 and 68 in their desired position. The flanges of parts 60 and 61 andthe telescoping portion of parts 1 61- and 62 may bethreaded to facilitate assem bly' if desired. A filler of suitable material may be inserted in part 61 between screens 65 and 66 to provide a filter having characteristics similar to those above described.

The filter illustrated in Figs. 6 and 9 is formed on a split flexible ring having peripheral grooves 76 in which layers 77 are secured by members 78. After the layers are applied to ring 75, members 78 are then forced over the circumference thereof, thereby compressingring 75 and permitting said cap and is closed by cover 86 which is hinged thereto as by hinge 87. Any suitable catch mechanism 88 may be used for holding cover 86 in closed position. Cover 86 is preferably formed with a seal 89 of rubber'or similar material which is tightly pressed against the surface of cap 21 when said cover is closed.

The filter consists of ring 90 about which are stretched layers 91 of filter cloths which are stitched or otherwise secured thereto. Ring 90 is formed of resilient material, so that it may be compressed to pass through slot 85.

In the construction shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, cap 21 is provided with a wide slot 95 which extends over one-half of the circumference thereof. Said slot is'closed by cover 96 which is hinged to cap 21 as by hinge 97 and secured by catch 98. Cover 96 is preferably formed of bendable material to avoid possibility of catching the runners 25 when said cover is opened. The filter comprises a ring 99 having a circumferential groove 100 ,into which the outer edges of filter cloth 101 are held by a suitable binding 102 of wire, thread or the like. Flanges 103 are held within cap 21. by suitable means and serve to secure the filter in the desired position. An

; annular ring 105 of yieldable material, such as rubber, may be positioned around ring 99 for forming a seal between the filter and the inner wall of cap 21.

In the above described device it is obvious are-preferably held in fixed position either by the resilience of the retaining rings or by the positive sealing means described above, so"

that derangement during operation and passage of air around the periphery thereof is prevented. The filters may be used with or without the filler in order to meet the requirements of the particular case.

In the operation of the device air is drawn through port 20 and dust bag 26 by fan 30 and is discharged through the filter and thence through port 22 into the atmosphere. It is obvious that the device may be used for suction cleaning or for blowing operations. In either case the filter will serve to condition the air. It is also obvious that the location of the filter may be changed to suit particular requirements.

The device is particularly useful for disinfecting or deodorizing air and for removing the last tracesof dust therefrom before it is wdischarged. The filter cloths may be treat. 7

ed with a disinfectant, deodorizer, perfume, insecticide or other conditionin substances as desired. The filler may also e similarly treated. The entire filter may be readily changed by removing the filtering cloths from the retaining rings and substituting layers of new material therefor. It is obvious that the filler may likewise be changed as required.

It is understood that the filler of wadding or the porous bag may be used with filters of the construction shown in any of the figures, or any of the filters may be used without this feature.

out departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: g

1. A vacuum cleaner unit comprising a cylindrical casing adapted to contain a dust bag, a fan in said casing to produce flow of airthrough the casing and to draw air through the dust bag and a filter in the casing on the discharge side of the fan comprising a plurality of layers of fabric, a frame and means for releasably holding 'the layers of fabric on the frame and stretched in spaced relationship. 2. A. vacuum cleaner comprising a cylindrical casing and a filter held transversely in said casing by frictional engagement with the wall thereof comprising a ringha'ving a circumferential groove, a plurality of layers of J filtering cloth disposed on-opposite sides of the ring and having overlapping edges in the groove and means in the groove 'for securing the edges-in the groove against the rlng. 5

r 3." In a vacuum cleaner unit having afan,

a casing enclosing said fan and having an outlet port, a filter located between said fan and said outlet port for conditioning the air priorto discharge; said filter comprising an annular member and filter cloth stretched .over said member on opposite sides thereof and removably held in said casing by frictional contact with the wall thereof.

4. In a vacuum cleaner unit having a fan and an outletport, a filter located between said fan and sald outlet port for conditioning the air prior to discharge, said filter comprising an annular member having a circumferential groove, filter cloth stretched over the sides of said member, and means resting in said groove for securing said filter cloth in position.

5. In a vacuum cleaner unit having a fan and a casing enclosing said fan and having an inlet port and an outlet port, a dust bag located between said inlet port and said fan,

a filter located between said fan and said outlet port for conditioning the air prior to discharge, said filter comprising a frame, a pair of layers of filter medium carried by said frame and air conditioning material therebetween and said filter. being removable as a unit from the casing.

6. In a vacuum cleanenunit, means for producing an air stream, a screen mounted in the path of said air stream, a filterlocated adjacent said screen, said filter comprising a frame and a plurality of layers of filter cloth carried by said frame, and means for maintaining said layers in tightly stretched condition.

7. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing, a motor and fan mounted therein and a filter mounted therein, said filter comprising a framea work having layers of filter medium stretched and extending between said layers.

9. In a vacuum cleaner unit, a filter comprising an annular member, layers of filter material mounted thereon and secured thereto, said member serving to secure said layers in spaced relationship, and a porous receptacle containing air' conditioning material-1d eated between said layers.

10. In a vacuum cleaner unit, a filter comprising an annular member, layers of filter material mounted thereon and secured thereto, said member serving to secure said layers in spaced relationship, and a porous receptacle containing air conditioning material adsorbed in infusorial earth located between said layers.

11. In a vacuum cleaner unit, a filter comprising an annular member, and layers of filter material mounted thereon and secured thereto, said member serving to secure said layers 1n spaced relationship, and'a bag of unglued paper containing a disinfecting liquid adsorbed in infusorial earth located between said layers.

12. In a vacuum cleaner unit having a casing and a removable cap mounted on one end thereof, a filter mounted within said cap, said filter comprising a framework and a filter medium stretched over the framework.

' 13. In a vacuum cleaner unit, a filter comprising a flexible annular member and filter cloth stretched over said member on opposite sides thereof.

14. In a vacuum cleaner unit, a filter comprising an annular member, layers of filter cloth stretched over the sides of said member, and a metal backing member secured to said annular member and supporting one of said layers.

15. In a vacuum cleaner unit, a casing, a metal screen therein, a filter located against said screen, said filter comprising a frame and a pair of layers of filter medium stretched [carried by said frame, one of said layers resting on said backing member and the other of said layers resting on said screen.

17. A filter for use in a vacuum cleaner comprising an elastic annular member having a circumferential groove, a plurality of layers of filter material and means for securing said layers to said member in said groove, said member serving to hold said layers in spaced relationship.

18. In a vacuum cleaner unit, means for producing an air stream, a screen mounted in the path of said air stream, a filter'located frame and means for holding said layers said frame in spaced relation.

20. In a vacuum cleaner unit having a fan and a cylindrical casing enclosing the fan having an outlet port, a filtenlocated transversely in said casing between said fan and said outlet port for conditioning the air prior to discharge, said filter comprising a ring having a circumferential groove, a plurality of layers of filter cloth disposed in spaced and. parallel position on opposite sides of the ring and having overlapping edges in the groove and means in the groove for securing the edges in the groove against the ring.

21. Afilter for vacuum cleanerscomprising an annular frame having a circumferential groove, a plurality of layers of fabric on said frame in spaced relation and overlapping in said groove, means in said groove for bolding said layers to the frame and airconditioning material situated between the layers of 22. In a vacuum cleaner unit having a fan and a casing enclosing said fan and having 1 an outlet port, a filter located between said fan and said outlet port for conditioning'air prior to discharge, said filtercomprising a frame and two layers of filter cloth carried by said frame and having a wadding of filter material therebetween, and said filter being removable as a unit from the casing.

23. Ina vacuum'cleaner unit, a cylindrical casing having an air inletand an air outlet, a motor and fan in said casing for causing flow of air therethrough, a dust bag between said inlet and said fan, a filter mounted transversely Within said casing between said fan and said outlet, said casing having a circumferentially extending aperture through whichsaid filter may be removed, and means for closing said aperture during operation of said unit. i 24. In a vacuum cleaner unit, a cylindrical casing. having an air inlet and an air outlet, a motor and fan in said casing for causing flow of air therethrough, a dust bag between said inlet and said fan, a filter mounted transversely within said casing between said fan and said outlet, sa d casing having a circumferentially extenulng aperture through which said filter may be removed, and a hinged flexible closure for said aperture.

In'testimony'whereof I have afiixed my signature.

TORD ERIK DANIEL BILDE. 

